Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Bosacki said that the appearance in Ukraine’s National Pantheon of Stepan Bandera, Roman Shukhevych or other individuals whom Poland considers responsible for mass crimes against civilians could significantly worsen Ukraine’s relations with Poland and Europe. According to him, this would also create an “enormous problem” for Ukraine on its path toward integration with Europe.
This was reported by RMF24, citing a statement by Marcin Bosacki on TVP Info.
The Polish deputy foreign minister stressed that every nation and its authorities have the right to independently determine their heroes. At the same time, he said the situation would change if people whom Poland considers responsible for mass crimes against civilians appeared in Ukraine’s National Pantheon.
“If people responsible for mass crimes against the civilian population, such as Stepan Bandera or Roman Shukhevych, were indeed to appear in Ukraine’s National Pantheon, this would significantly worsen Ukraine’s relations not only with Poland, but with Europe in general,” Bosacki said.
He also mentioned the burial of the head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, Yevhen Konovalets, in Kyiv. According to Bosacki, almost no representatives of diplomatic missions from EU countries took part in the ceremony, and he called this the result of Polish diplomatic efforts.
“Ukraine knows that with those who killed not only Poles, but also some Ukrainians, Czechs, Jews and Roma — that is, with the creators of the UPA during its worst period, in 1943–1944 — on its banners, it will have an enormous problem integrating with Europe,” the deputy minister said.
Ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day, Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Law of Ukraine “On the Ukrainian National Pantheon.” The document provides for the creation in Kyiv of a nationwide memorial complex to honor the most outstanding representatives of the Ukrainian nation. It will be possible to honor statesmen, military personnel, figures in culture, science, sports and religion, as well as other individuals who made an outstanding contribution to Ukraine’s independence, state-building and defense.
Bosacki also spoke about disagreements between the Polish side and “certain parts of the Ukrainian authorities” over decisions related to the UPA.
At the same time, he stressed that the strategic interests of Poland and Ukraine remain close. According to him, Warsaw supports Ukraine in the war against Russia because Russia poses a threat not only to Ukraine, but also to Poland.
“Ukraine’s victory in the war with Russia is in Poland’s national interest, and cooperation here is proceeding well,” Bosacki said.
